Family matters in the UAE turn on a question most people never had to ask at home: which law applies. We act for residents and nationals on marriage, divorce, custody, maintenance and inheritance under a system that now runs several regimes side by side. The work is sensitive, time-critical and shaped by jurisdiction before anything else.
The first decision in any family matter is the applicable law. A Muslim client falls under the 2024 Personal Status Law, a non-Muslim resident under the 2022 Civil Personal Status Law, and either may be able to apply a home-country law instead. That choice shapes the divorce route, the custody outcome and the division of assets, so family lawyers in Dubai start there rather than with the facts of the marriage.
Divorce and separation
We act on divorce for Muslim and non-Muslim clients. The Muslim Personal Status Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2024) came into force on 15 April 2025 and replaced the 2005 law. The Civil Personal Status Law for non-Muslims (Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2022) introduced no-fault divorce that either spouse can file without proving harm, and Abu Dhabi runs its own civil regime under Law No. 14 of 2021. We advise on the route that fits the client's status and goals.
Custody and maintenance
We act on custody, guardianship and maintenance, including the joint-custody framework under the civil law that runs to the age of 18. Custody and financial claims are decided together, and the position taken at the start of the case sets the baseline for both.
Wills and inheritance
We advise on wills, succession and cross-border estates, including DIFC Wills for non-Muslims and the inheritance rules that apply where no will exists. Estate planning done before it is needed avoids the default rules applying to assets the client never intended to leave that way.
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